URPoint Details
Galashiels lies on the banks of the River Gala, a tributary of the River Tweed, and was granted a charter in 1599 and this event is enacted each year with ‘the braw lads’ gathering.
The town’s motto is very interesting, it depicts ‘Sour Plums’, and refers to the time when in 1337 some English soldiers were killed whilst picking wild plums.
The name of Gala takes its name from the shiels or huts where pilgrims would stop on their way to Melrose.
The town has an ancient Mercat Cross and in Corn MiIl Square a War Memorial of a mounted mosstrooper against the background of a tower.
At Torwoodlee 2 miles northwest has a ruined broch.
Location: on the A72
- Type:
- Landmark